Eleanor + corndog

And now, for the first time ever: a video blog post!  Wait, no it’s not!  I got all set to upload the video and then discovered that I’ll need to pony up $60/yr to be able to add video.  Maybe after Christmas!

This is a brief glimpse into a very small selection of the food available at the winter street fair.  It does not include the barbecue, thai food, funnel cakes, giant sausages, tacos, etc, but it does show you how you’d probably end up eating: sitting on a curb next to the trash cans.

But can you beat festival foods?  I guess that depends on what standpoint you’re coming from; nutritionally, yes indeedy, but from the experiential outlook it’s hard to do.

I hope you made it out to the street fair.  The weather was awesome, and if you looked hard enough you could even find something healthy, although it sure wasn’t easy.

Additional note: this is the first of what I hope will become more frequent video blog posts.  They’re bound to get better, right?

So here’s the video.  Enjoy!

Charcuterie Appetizer

This evening I present to you the third part of the Azul saga. You can find part 1 here and part 2 here. Go ahead and read them. I’ll wait.

Caught up? Good. Before I go on to describe the events of the evening, I’ll point out that the entire meal was courtesy of the house. Rest assured that if there were things that weren’t good I would say that even if we didn’t pay for the meal.

One more piece of housekeeping: Kristine & I were a little self-conscious about the whole setup. We were having a hard time balancing wanting to try multiple things on the menu and being worried about the running up a huge tab since we weren’t paying for it. Sigh. Maybe next time it won’t be so awkward, but this time it was a little.

We arrived for our reservation and were seated right away close to a corner by the windows overlooking the pool area. Our server, Alex, came over fairly quickly for our drink orders. I ordered a glass of the French Maid cabernet and Kristine ordered…. the Spanish Guitar cab/tempranillo? It may not have been called Spanish Guitar, but it was a cab/temp blend. When Alex brought out the wine, he also brought out rustic bread with garlic infused olive oil and a sundried tomato tapenade. Normally, I’m not a big fan of olives, but the tapenade was mild and I really found myself enjoying it.

For our next first course, we ordered the charcuterie for two (pictured up top – $15). This appetizer consisted of ample portions of breseola, speck alto, an herbed goat cheese, piave, olives, pickled vegetables and a couple of breadsticks. Everything was good (I particularly enjoyed the breseola), but the presentation was a little bit lacking. We both agreed that next time we’d probably skip the charcuterie and go with hot appetizers.

Scallops on risotto w/dandelion pesto

We ordered two entrees that sounded good to both of us with the intention of sharing both. We selected the scallop di stagione ($23), which was described as ’seared scallops over sundried tomato and caramelized fennel risotto with toasted pignoli dandelion greens pesto’. When the dish arrived, I was a little disappointed by the way it looked on the plate. It seemed as though it was plated in a hurry without much thought to the final appearance.

As far as taste went, though, it was a success. The scallops were nicely cooked and very lightly seasoned. The risotto was very good, with the rich flavor of the roasted fennel very much at the forefront. All of the components of the dish were nicely executed, but Kristine and I both felt like they could have been tied together a little better.

Tasty prawn friends

For me, the real hit of the evening was the special. Jumbo prawns with pearl onions in a lobster cardinal sauce, served with a paella risotto cake (~$27). The head-on prawns were beautifully cooked (and yes, I sucked the heads), the sauce was creamy with a little bit of spice and chunks of lobster, and the paella risotto cake reminded me of a crabcake, but with more delicate flavors. The only thing I could possibly fault would again be the presentation. The whole dish was basically orange/red, but I frankly didn’t care because it was so good. Oh, and the wine pairing we did with this one was great. We had a Geode Chardonnay from Santa Barbara, which had great honey & tropical fruit notes that were a nice counterpoint to the rich spicing of the lobster cardinal.

ChocoLava w/Hazelnut Gelato

Ok, finally about dessert. In the menu available online, they had listed a chili spiced chocolate torte with chocolate mint sauce and hazelnut gelato. It looks like they reworked that into a chocolate lava cake with hazelnut sauce and hazelnut gelato (~$10). Although I was looking forward to the chocolate/chile combination, the dessert we had was great (especially the hazelnut gelato).

The service from Alex was very attentive without being obtrusive or hover-y (not a word, I know). And when we had the one awkward moment of the evening (when he brought us the check!), he very graciously went off to investigate, coming back to let us know things were sorted out a few minutes later.

So the summary:
Very good food (though presentation slightly off), and very good service make Azul a place that we’ll definitely go back to.

Here I am again guys, bringing you something good to read and to ponder.  Some of you may say that this is another nonsense blog about ACL (American ChatLink) or GDC (Global DotCom) or GIQS (Global Info Quest Strategies).  Please don’t get me wrong all this companies are the same, these are just names. Well, no one can please everyone as they say, so here it goes…

As I’ve read in the previous comments that this blog was not read by Lee, well I don’t think so.  My sources tell me that there have been changes in that company sin

ce I’ve wrote my last blog.  Not to the Family of course, they are still gaining so much with the Blind Lee.  And you know what? It is really getting worst!  They strategically want to kick every old employee out of this company and replace it with… Themselves…

The entire employee knows that Kristine, Lee’s bitch, has already kicked Amy out of the picture, when the old employees found out about this loss, they already lost hope.  Cause no one will now defend them, but they still found hope with each other.  The old employees are still holding on because they have themselves to look after.  The main point is they love their boss Lee so much; they don’t want the Family to win this fight.  But sad to say guys, as much as you are stupid, so is your Boss.  And the family is and will soon take over.

Kristine has already more than half of Lee’s assets starting from her condo, to her cars and also some bank accounts.  And Michelle is now taking care of the whole company operation and expenses.  Their father the Mongoloid Ramon Matienzo has now all the right to brag about her daughters.  There is a recent incident to prove that this Mongoloid is so proud about his daughters.

One night when they are about to pull out stuff from their office at Tycoon Center, Mr. Mongoloid just entered the room out of nowhere.  All the agents where first shocked and thought it was a hoodlum from NBI, there is a silent panic going in the room as he roamed around, everyone is whispering to each other asking “who is this asshole who just barged in our office”?  Soon the mongoloid spoke proudly and asks the agents, “Kilala nyo ba ako”? There is a so much silence and all the employees hearts are pounding in fear… of course no one knows him there.  They are all already afraid specially that their supervisor is not around. When no one answers he proudly says “eh yung anak kong si Michelle? Kilala nyo?”  Some agents nodded, and he spoke… “yung HR nyo”? When the agents heard that they are all relieved and told themselves “ah eto pala yung Mongoloid na mayabang na sinasabi sa blog…” Then Aries the always late supervisor of that shift arrives.  And the Mongoloid was so angray and scold him, acting like the owner of the company, and telling him he should not be late and should report to his superior.  Now, the agents and Aries the supervisor who are present that night saw the arrogant mongoloid in person and proved that what is written in the blog is right.  The Mongoloid tells a lot of things like “alam nyo ba na wala na si Lods? Kinidnap kasi ng NBI…” and instructing both the agents and the supervisor, acting so much as the owner of the company.  This guy is only practicing because soon they will be the real owner of the company.

Enough with the Family they will eventually take over the company because of Lee’s stupidity and blindness. I ‘am just hoping this blog will be used as an eye-opener for the people who are working with Lee right now.

You have pulled Lee and the company way up to the top over the years.  All your mind and efforts are all put to this company, you have dedicated your lives, and some of you the lives are at stake because of your love to Lee and the company.  I’ll just ask you guys a few things.  Does Lee still recognize you now?  Are you with the top with Lee or you are still there remaining bellow? Or now being pulled down by this family and Lee’s blind love?

I’ve been hearing a lot from the people behind this company.  If you guys are really sick and tired of Lee why don’t you step up and leave her behind?  You can’t right? Because you all know if you leave she will be as helpless as a rat. But do you think she knows that?  If she does, why are you still like that? Does she give importance to you? Let’s look at some facts and let’s start with each of you.

Lets start with the oldest in ACL, the biggest name, and the one who gave Lee the most money.  It’s you Mr. Dony Fajutrao!  How is Lee’s most trusted dog doing now a days?  How is your branches doing?  You are the one who calls them the President of Lee’s company, but what are you right now?  Are you the real president or just a puppy of Lee?  You dont even have your own table in any of Lee’s office and they call you the president?!  If ever NBI or CIDG raid your company in Columbia Tower can Lee help you?  Have you tried applying for NBI clearance?  I bet you cant get one.  And that’s for your lifetime.  Poor you! You have been a public menace beacause of your loyalty and gained nothing out of it.  Soon you can’t go out of the country or even open a bank account because of your loyalty.  You will hide your ass, and Lee can’t do anything for you.  Oh I mean will not care for you anymore cause you will be no longer of use.

You know what? You have done a lot of things for Lee.  Did you ask yourself what Lee did to you?  Does Lee remembers how ACL started?  How you have been a driver of Lee and Amy on your own car?  Now Lee has a lot of money does she even think buying you even a second hand car? C’mon my sources told me Lee did bought a car for her past girlfriends and she didn’t even think to buy you one?  What a greedy owner right?  Open your fucking mind, you are too old to party with your ACL friends.  No company will accept you anymore because of your age and don’t forget you are in NBI’s hit list forever.  Why not start your own company and take all Lee’s loyal puppet, I know all of you have ill will to Lee.  Lee is nothing without you and she didn’t even notice that!  Even if she did, she wont mind cause she knows you are simply stupid and will be her dog for life.

OK lets move on… Our next Puppy is Mr. Lodz Diana.  This Lee’s servant has taken it all to the max! You have been loyal and gave everything for Lee.  In return you got what you didn’t deserve.  It’s really hard to put your life to work, but you took it literally. Dumb! You guys are really interesting.  You have been kidnaped by NBI agents or a bunch of hoodlums pretending to be NBI agents, asked you for money, and they even threaten your whole family.  And now you end up digging your backyard!  Did Lee helped you?  What help does she gave you?  Oh wait, I know… moral support! Right?! Because you guys are a bunch of morrons.  Do you guys need to have something like that before you wake up to your senses?

So how about you Mr. Dan Padilla? GDC is already closed right?  What the hell are you still doing there with Lee?  Do you want to end up like lodz? You already have a lot.  And there are a lot of offers to you outside.  I know you guys are good in what you do. And you can do more.  Why not join team with Dony and start your own company.  Come to think of it.  You and Dony will be the boss of your own company and you wont submit to a greedy and blind boss like Lee.  Just start it and all will follow, i’ll bet you that!

Next stop is you Eds Panis.  You had a great time of your life when you are still earning a lot.  Amy and Lee loves you so much cause you are earning from them and for them. Anything you ask was given to you.  But now that your branch is closed because of piracy you have nowhere to run.  Did they give you help?  Nothing!  They lend you money and now they are taking it back by force.  Is that help?  Well that is help according to them.  Sad to say they really don’t know the real meaning of help.  They forgotten your effort how you helped them have their millions.  Now you are just no one, you didn’t even have a contract with them.  You are left with nothing.  Your b-new car was bought by Amy, your branch is now closed and Amy and Lee don’t care about you anymore.  You should have followed what you think is right for yourself; you should have not listen to Amy when she told you not to partner with your cousin.  Look at them now Amy has a lot… Your cousin has a lot… And now you are nothing.  Whose fault is it now?

Your faith will be the same Gina Mateo if you won’t wake up.  I bet you are now feeling that you have been left behind.  You are asking Lee to lend you money but didn’t give it to you.  Because they thought that you can’t give it back to them.  They saw that your branch is not earning enough for you to pay her back.  Soon your branch will also be closed and you will be no longer of use for Lee, because her Tycoon office is now closed.

This will also be like you Lito Parado, Lodz is already out of the picture, and you are scared out of your guts to go outside cause you’re the next target of the NBI kidnapers. Maybe that is the reason why you had a mild stroke.  Don’t worry Lee will let you die without even knowing your dead.

All of you old employees of ACL are getting sick literally because of your effort for the company and you don’t have any medical card?  This was proposed a long time ago, if Lee really cares for you, she should have agreed to have you that kind of benefit you deserve.  You know why she doesn’t want to give it to you guys?  Cause she is so Fuckin Greedy she doesn’t want to spend a cent to help you.  Not unless you give her back what she spent, with interest of course.

Moving on… This guy is so smart he knows when enough is enough.  Is that right William Francisco?  You have helped the company because it is your job, you have done your part in the company and make work much easier for them and for the agents.  But when you saw the politics in that company and you feel that the family is getting in your nerves, you stood back and leave.  Not thinking that there are co-employees who need you.  You don’t care and just thought about yourself.  But at least you are still earning so much because of this company not unlike the next stupid employee.

Who am I talking here?  It is you Bong Bandilla, yes you… You are the smart dumb stupid person in that company.  Why did I say this?  How many years have you stayed in that company?  You’re there almost as old as Dony and you still have nothing, you gained nothing.  They don’t see what you are doing in that company.  What have they given you?  Only praises for your work.  Does that feed your family?  Oh yes they hired your wife.  So now you are both stupid.  You know what?  In other companies they value IT like you.  There, you are just an IT manager in words or paper.  You are still working your ass out for them.  Why not Join team with Dony and Dany, you guys started ACL you can also start your own and feel the life that you guys deserve.

Lets  now move to Lee’s  apple of the eye.  It’s you guys, Ian De Guzman and Jonathan Bagsic.  Be happy on what you guys are having right now.  There is a saying that “Pana-panohon lang yan”.   Some of the people above had their time.  They felt what you guys felt but still were left behind in the end, or is now being ignored.

Here is where I park…  I already told enough.  Some may ask “why am I writing a blog about this company and its employees?” I’m not earning anything here, why waste time and effort?  Well ACL and Lee is here in the Philippines for more than 3 years now.  She has a vision of employing every poor Filipino, just like in the politics.  But she has gained more to herself and doesn’t really give, but gaining everything for herself.  She doesn’t give help unless she gained something out of it.  She didn’t give anything for her employees.  All have something for her in return.  Lee that is not the essence of giving, the essence of giving is what your employees are giving you, although they have salaries but that is not enough to pay for their limitless effort and love for the company.

Pink October has come and gone. But it is important to remember that Breast Cancer strikes all year, all ages and to many families.

This family has been struck by the disease not once, not twice, not three times – but four. All three sisters have been effected by breast cancer and now their mother.

I work with Stephanie. I met Michelle through the Pink October calendar shoots last year. I met Kristine and her family Sunday at Jessie’s Grove. The weather was right. The light beautiful. It was great to see everyone.

Michelle & Jordan…

The kids….

Kristine’s family - Greg, her husband, and sons, Jett and Justice…

Stephanie’s family – Paul, her husband, and her sons, Dusty and Levi…

Aren’t they beautiful!  Strong and beautiful…

Please enjoy more images from the shoot… and remember to donate, volunteer, and pray for a cure.

Dance After Dark

DANCE AFTER DARK
DJ Freedom’s latest greatest featuring BIG ROOM ANTHEMS.

“Big Room Anthems” are songs made for the dancefloor of a full scale nightclub. Venues in NYC like Pacha, in South Beach like Cameo or in Vegas like-like any hotel with a nightclub really-feature these songs.
My versions on these songs is meant to feature the best parts of the songs. I don’t get into the WORDS a lot but they are there to guide the original vision of the song, and the person who remixed it.
If you like the list and want the download (I don’t sell these) then you should send me a note.
There’s a SPECTACULAR jazz song at the end that I want you to go to giantstep.net and buy…it is so well done and emotive I thought for those of you who LOVE music you’ll dig on this one.

Until next time…stay in tune!

BIG ROOM ANTHEMS | PART ONE

1) Love Songs (Bimbo Jones Dub) -
2) Did You See Me Coming – Pet Shop Boys
3) We Are Golden (Radio Edit Vs DJ Freedom’s Refix) – Mika
4) Sad Song (Jason Nevins Club Mix | FJ Dubout) – Blake Lewis
5) Smoke (Extended Mix) – Jus Jack With Phil Garant
6) Obsessed (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Club Mix) – Mariah Carey
7) Wake Up (Buzz Junkies Mix) – Sliimy
Fight For You (Beltek Mix) – Morgan Page
9) I Gotta Feeling (David Guetta Remix | FJ Dubout) – Black Eyed Peas
10) Down (Club Remix) – Sean Feat Lil Wayne
11) Use Somebody (Club Remix) – Kings Of Leon
12) Bad Romance – Lady Gaga (FreeMix)
13) Dollhouse – Priscilla Renea (FreeMix Reprise style)
14) Turn It Out – Altar and Jeanie Tracy
15) Shoes (Green Velvet Remix) – Tiga
16) Be Alright (Perry Twins Los Angeles & Demons Mix) – Kristine W
17) Shoes (Electro-fied Remix by Lanzamientos) – Tiga

HUSTLE TO THE NEW DISCO | PART TWO

18) Get It Shawty (Moto Blanco Radio Remix) – Lloyd
19) Red (Moto Blanco Club Remix) – Daniel Merriweather
20) Outta Here (Moto Blanco Club Remix) – Esmee Denters
21) Let Me Show You (Moto Blanco Remix) – K-Klass
22) Generation Noise (Twocker Remix) Laidback Luke Featuring Boogshe
23) I Call It Love (Moto Blanco Remix) – Lionel Richie
24) Let Freedom Think About It (Free*Beats) – Ida Corr
25) Great DJ (Calvin Harris Remix) – The Ting Tings
26) Gypsy (Laidback Luke Gypsy Woman Remix) – Steve Angello
27) Hotel California (Latino Guitar Mix) – Eagles
28) Time After Time (Tommy Trash Club Mix) – Soul Central Feat Abigail Bailey
29) Whatcha Think About That (Starz Angels Remix) – Pussycat Dolls Feat Missy Elliot
30) SPECIAL CLOSER: No Worries – Robert Glasper (Special thanks to GIANT STEP ON THIS ONE!)

DJ Freedom | Music Scientist…Rhythm & Soul Productions
(917) 405-4423 | Freedom@socialtravelers.net
www.facebook.com/freedom.us
www.myspace.com/rsmf

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I dag har jeg endelig bestemt meg, og mens jeg og Kristine var i Kviteseid for å hente hennes pass, ble det innkjøp av min egen rettetang. Dessverre er jeg stundent og litt blakk for tiden, og hadde ikke rå til en skikkelig en (GHD), så jeg tenkte at det kanskje ikke var verdt det til mitt bruk, og kjøpte en på expert til 1/4 av prisen på en GHD. Så håper den funker greit.

Jeg mener å tror at det er den samme som Mari brukte på meg i helgen.  Har du troen eller erfaringer om denne rettetangen?

Så satser på at det blir bra i grunn. Den skal prøves ut i morgen, dersom jeg kommer meg opp tidlig nok. Ellers så er jeg meget god på det om jeg får så si det selv, men jeg er heller skeptisk til morgen dagen, fordi jeg er svært trøtt og slitsom for tiden. Mye som skjer, både skole og sosialt. Og mye forventinger. Og dårlig prioritering fra min side kanskje. Det er gym prøve i morgen, og jeg har absolutt ingen som helst ide om hva jeg holder på med faktisk!

Til helga så skjer det masse! Vi har skole, men ikke foreldrefest. Skolen ønsker ikke å samle så mange mennesker på dette tidspunktet fordi det har blitt påvist svineinfluensa på skolen. Noe som er litt skummelt, men jeg har bestemt meg for å ta vaksinen, etter masse frem og tilbake.. Er det smart eller dumt av meg ?

Ellers så blir helgen kjekk uansett! Ville egentlig hjem, masse som skjer hjemme, og venner som skal ut på masse kjekt! Er en smule misunnelig kanskje Men dersom jeg klarer og overtale Kristine så kan det være at vi drar til Porsgrunn i helga, på russekickoff! Hvor artig hadde ikke det vært? Me like!

Hmm.. Det var dagens OT shit, nå tilbake til hverdagens kjedelig gjøremål. OG ja, btw.. Kjærligheten suger! Jeg hadde det bra, fint og alt var bra.. Men så kom det noen som bare måtte fucke litt med hode mitt? Damn it! *putrer*

Read my lips, C

Se pare că ,Kristine atacă din nou piaţa muzicală din România cu noua sa piesă ,,Touch my body” care va fi cu siguranţă hit,corect? Cred că este in colaborare cu Edward Maya pentru că acordeonul este foarte tare ce să îi urez eu Kristinei decat baftă cu melodia in topuri

Enjoy!

P.S : Astept si parerile voastre cu privire la aceasta piesă

Gender: Feminine
Origin: Norwegian
Meaning: Contraction of Kristine
(KEE-ne)

The name is Norwegian and a contraction of Kristine, it is considered an independent name in its own right and even boasts its own name-day of October 24 in the Norwegian name-day calender. It is currently a fairly common name in Norway. Another form is Kina.

…på grunn av hyppig blogging. Ja, jeg skriver for andre gang denne måneden.

I dag er det TV-aksjonen på NRK til inntekt for organisasjonen Care som jeg vet litt for lite om til å utdype mer her. Men det jeg vet, er at tall fra Verdensbanken viser at kvinner bruker 90 % av sine inntekter på familie, utdanning osv., mens menn bruker 40 %. Så ved å støtte Care er du med på å hjelpe kvinner med å danne grupper og etablere spare- og låneordninger som gjør at de kan låne penger og jobbe seg opp nok til å betale tilbake lån, forsørge familie og tjene mer.
Jeg har gått med bøsse sammen med Ida, jeg har gitt alle mine kontanter og nå er det hellig stund foran tv’n. Og jeg har spist kjøttkaker til middag, obligatorisk på en søndag og spesielt på denne søndagen.

Ellers jobber jeg litt med å legge ut bilder på flickr i disse dager. Det er foreløpig ikke noe særlig som ikke var ute på SmugMug eller Facebook, men det skal nok bli. Følg med! Jeg er ingen fotograf-fotograf, men hobby-fotograf i perioder. Så hvis du kan noe som ikke jeg kan og som jeg burde kunne så tar jeg imot tips med stor takk!

Jeg må bfå lov til å fortsatt skryte av høsten i Bergen som bare er fantastisk! På lørdag gikk jeg på Bryggen i strålende sol, før jeg tilbrakte tre timer på kafeen Cacti sammen med Kristine, hvorav en time gikk med til kø og venting. Den stakkars stressede fyren bak disken ba oss ta en tur rundt i lokalet og se litt på vareutvalget og bildene mens han flirte nervøst, han hadde nok å gjøre med å sjonglere tusen post-it-lapper med bestillinger, ‘hot chock’ og ‘foccacia’. Men det gode selskapet, koselige omgivelser og underholdningen ved en stresset barrista gjorde det ventetiden verdt.
Solskinn, klar luft, litervis med varm drikke og gode venner, det er kult!

Nå planlegger jeg å varme et rundstykke og lage meg et herlig kveldsmatmåltid med te for å avslutte denne dagen på en verdig måte. God kveld til meg, og “alle” dere!

Maaga akong natulog kagabi. Pagkatapos kong maghapunan, naligo ako. Meron akong mahabang pale green na beach skirt at dahil mainit sa loob ng kwarto ko, iyon ang isunuot ko at itinali ang dalawang magkabilang dulo paikot sa leeg ko. Alas otso pa lang nahiga na ako. Di ko na nga hinintay ang paborito kong primetime telenobela na “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” na pinagbibidahan nila Jericho Rosales at Kristine Hermosa. Naalala ko tuloy last year, nakasabay kong mag exam sa UP si Kristine. Bakit kaya ganon ano? Akala ko titingalain ko ang mga artista kapag nakasalubong o nakasabay ko sila. Akala ko mahirap silang abutin o tingnan man lang sa malapitan. Oo, masyado akong maraming akala na mali naman pala.

Balik sa maaga kong patulog kagabi. Basa pa ng buhok ko ng mahiga ako. Nag re-research kuno ang pamangkin ko sa computer eh yon naman pala nag pi-friendster lang at naglalaro ng farmville sa facebook. Sinabi ko na rin tuloy na i-harvest nya na rin iyong mga tanim ko tapos araruhin nya na din at taniman ng 1 day seeds ang mga plowed plots. Naalala ko tuloy nang marinig ko yong brother ko na mag plow lang daw ako ng mag plow para tumaas agad ang level ko. Kaso di ko sya naintindihan kasi “plow” ang pag pronounce nya sa halip na “plaw” na ang ibig sabihin ay araro. Natawa nalang ako.

Dahil alas otso pa lang nahiga na ako na hindi naman kinasanayan kong oras ng pagtulog ko talaga, hayun, ilang minuto bago nag alas dos ng madaling araw ay nagising na ako. Inisip ko ang pag-iyak ko ng dumaan si Loveydoves at magpaalam na pupunta sya sa bahay ng kapatid nya. Paglabas nya ng pinto, naghahabulan sa pag-agos ang mga luha ko na parang bagyong Ondoy na dami ng mga patak na ipinunas ko sa tuwalya ng brother ko. Nalungkot ako masyado kasi medyo hindi maganda mga pinagdaan namin nitong nakaraang mga araw. Lagi akong umiiyak. Na mi-miss ko sya lagi. Yong mga pagbibiro nya at yong mapupungay nyang mga mata na akala mo ay laging inaantok.

Dahil nagising ako ng alanganing oras at hindi makatulog ulit kahit anong pilit ko mang ipikit ang mga mata ko, naghanap ako ng mababasa para lang antukin ulit. Nabasa ko ng lahat yong mga binili kong English pocketbooks sa Booksale. Nakita ko yong itim na libro na pilit inuubos basahin ng pamangkin ko noong nakaraan linggo. Alam ko iyon yong libro na isinulat ni Bob Ong, yong walang kwentang libro na bahagya ko ng nabasa pero hindi ko maintindihan kasi hindi sya normal na libro na tuloy-tuloy ang kwento. Pero ganunpaman, binuklat ko sya sa gitna at binasa ko pa rin kahit alam kong magulo at di ko maintindihan.

Mga halos dalawang oras din ng matapos kong basahin ang itim na libro. Oo nga, wala akong naintindihan pero itong sinusulat ko ay parang katulad din ng paraan ng pagsusulat ni Bob Ong. Kumbaga sa computer specs Core 2 Duo na ang version ng utak ni Bob Ong samantalang P3 lang itong utak ko gaya ng computer na ginagamit ko ngayon. Pero hindi bale na, akin ang computer na ito at pinagsikapan kong mabili ito sa halagang 2.5k yata yon kay Yohan na talagang hinatid nya pa sa akin sa Astra. First time kong bumili ng unit na naka advertise online at mabuti nalang at talagang disenteng tao si Yohan dahil hindi ako na disappoint sa unang online buying transaction ko.

Sya nga pala, gaya ni Bob Ong, ako man ay may katanungan sa pangalan ko. Bakit ako pinangalanang Kenneth eh hindi naman ako lalaki. Babae po ako, at di ako nagsisinungaling. Totoong babae ako talaga at di ako bakla, ka ka ka ka kla (charush). Curious lang ako, saan kaya nag-aral si Bob Ong? Sabi ni Joan sa akin na nagpahiram ng itim na libro na yon, hindi raw nakapagtapos ng college si Bob Ong. Gaya ko at gaya ni Joan, pare-pareho kaming sinawimpalad na hindi nakapagtapos sa kolehiyo. Hindi naman sa mahihina ang mga utak namin, in fact isa si Joan sa mga alam kong matatalino at may sense kausap. Hindi porke’t pareho kaming Cebuana eh we love our own na o kaya tumatayo lang kami sa reputasyon na ang pagiging Cebuano namin ay dapat ipagmalaki. Kahit papaano, may kaunting laman din naman ang mga ulo namin para mag-enjoy na makipag-usap sa isa’t isa. Something of common interest ‘ika nga. Kaya doon sa mga hindi pinalad na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo, hayaan nyo hindi pa rin naman hanggang doon lang ang kahahantungan ng lahat. Maari pa rin naman natin abutin kung anuman ang mga pangarap natin. Gaya ko, gustung-gusto ko talagang magsulat. Kahit ano. Minsan gumagaling ako sa pagsulat ng Ingles kapag galit ako o kaya ay masama ang loob. Napapansin ko lang na Ingles na pala ang mga sermon ko sa aking mga pamangkin tuwing naiinis o kaya ay nagagalit ako sa kanila. Walastik eh no, Inglesera pala ako kapag galit. Kuwan kasi (hmp! excuses) hindi ko maideresto sa tagalog ang mga sasabihin ko plus cebuano pa minsan kaya Ingles nalang para walang sablay at para walang away.

So ano ngayon ang katuturan nitong isinulat ko? Sa totoo lang, wala talaga. Nagpapalipas lang ako ng pagka-bored kasi nga biglang na out of work ako last week kasi nagresign ako ora mismo nang hindi ko na matiis ang pang-iinsulto sa akin ng former employer ko. Pero ganumpanan, ayos na rin sa akin ito dahil malaya na akong magsulat ng kahit na anong walang kwentang sumagi sa isip ko gaya ni Bob Ong. At gaya rin nya, galit rin ako sa ipis. Hindi sa pinandidirihan ko ang ipis ha, feeling ko lang na gusto ko lang talaga silang puksain. Kahit mga bubuwit, pinagtatyagaan ko talaga silang ibili ng sticky trap sa halagang 26 pesos. At kapag dumadami ang mga pesteng maliliit na ipis, tinandaan ko yong Baygon Chalk na ginamit ng brother ko para masiyahan syang makita na susuray-suray at nahihilo ang mga kinaiinisan nyang mga ipis.

Sa pagsusult ng ganitong walang kwenta na kwento, at least inaantok na ako at nagugutom na din pero tamad akong bumagon para mag-almusal.

When anyone asks me why I stay up until all hours of the night writing fiction when I could be sleeping or getting a number of domestic duties done around the house, I tell them it’s because (a) I have insomnia, (b) I hate cleaning just about as much as I hate exercising, and (c) I love it.

Yes, I have a love affair with my writing. I believe all writers do. It’s what keeps our butts in our chairs crafting scenes, wrestling with the demands of our characters, and spending an hour trying to think up the perfect metaphor for how our characters are feeling when we could be watching Dancing With The Stars or clipping grocery store coupons. (Okay, I do clip coupons—we’re still in a recession, after all.)

As any serious writer will tell you, building a career as a novelist is hard. It will break your heart most days. You can spend years on a project only to have it hidden in a drawer after having it rejected by every agent in the country.  You can go broke if you don’t have a supplemental form of income (i.e., a day job). You can read every how-to book and attend every workshop out there and still sit in front of a blank computer screen feeling lost.

So why do we do it? Why do we suffer through the frustration and the angst and the tears in pursuit of the cherished published novel boasting our byline on the cover?

It’s the dream of someday breaking through the barrier and emerging into the inner circle of published authors. It’s the hope that one day our words will reach the masses and make a difference, perhaps even change the world. It’s the feeling of having achieved our life’s mission—to write a novel and prove to ourselves that yes, we can do it and yes, we are good enough.

At least, that’s how it is for me.

I’m closing in on the last part of my rewrite on a book that has taken me two years so far to write. Yes, I could tackle the piles of laundry sitting in my basement or the dust balls hidden underneath the bed, but not yet. As with anyone involved with a love affair, I’m going to follow my heart, and my heart tells me that the only place I need to be at this moment is at my computer. Writing.

På ein forlatt togstasjon i Verona fann vi ei anna jente som var på samme mission som oss, nemlig få ein plass på nattoget til Munchen. Ho heitte Sasa og inviterte oss med heim til mora og stefaren sin der vi fikk ei seng å sove i og god frukost etter kvilen

Vi fekk guida omvisning i Munchen og det var jo digg

Det var masse fine bygningar å sjå på, og litt dyrare enn det hadde vore i andre land

Vi gikk til ein stor park (større enn Central Park visstnok), der hadde dei ei kunstig bølge som folk surfa på

Og det var mange tilskodarar der, inkludert oss

Midt inne i parken var det ein restaurant, eller noke, der ein kunne kjøpe typisk tysk mat

Vi skåla i øl med eplecider i, og åt megastore pretzels og pålegg og sånt

Vi var max fornøgde alle tre…

…og så begynte det å pøøøøøøsregne!

Morningen etter serverte Sasa oss tradisjonell frukost frå sitt område, det inkluderte weissbier..

..kokt kvit pølse, sennep og pretzel. Veldig spesielt til frukost å vere, men veldig godt

Men så plutselig så var det over etter mange mange timar på tog, og eg satt på Kastrup og venta på flyet til Bergen, litt vemodig men mest glad..

…fordi turen hadde vore max fin, og fordi eg hadde Mojo med Fleet Foxes, sushi, eple og vatn.

Så konklusjonen er: Interrail tilrådast på sterkaste!

Vi reiste gjennom Toscana på veg til ein ekte italiensk turistplass, Orbetello. Togturen var akkurat passa lang, passe varm og toget lukta fjøs

Når vi kom fram fann vi eit passe billig hotellrom der vi utførte ein forferdelig fotosession..

..mens vi drakk italiensk vin og såg på musikk-TV

I Italia er det mange sånne fine bilar.. overalt

Vi satte oss på ein lokal pub og møtte verdens raraste svenske dame som vi både fikk sett puppane og trusa til. Vi fekk oss også ein italiensk venn eller to som kunne minimalt med engelsk

Dei italienske vennane våre tok oss med på strandfest, men vi kom når dei stengte

Eg var glad likevel

God stemning og rom&cola + sigar

Dagen etter var det strandliv som gjaldt. Heile dagen

Vi fann ut at vi var komt til Bimboland..

…så Kristine måtte vise at det gikk an å vere kul bimbo også

Når vi gikk heim for å legge oss om kvelden var det som å vere i hobbittland eller noko

magisk stemning

og eg eigde Orbetello sin fotgjengertunell

Og etter ei natt var det på tide og sette kursen oppover mot skandinavia igjen

Fortsettelse følger!

Jeg har stor sans for den finske tragikomikken. Som hos filmskaperen Ari Kaurismäki (Drivende skyer, Mannen uten minne, Fyrstikkpiken… ) og som her hos forfatteren Arto Paasilinna. Mens Kaurismäki er opptatt av hverdagens anti-helter, skriver Paasilinna gjerne om personer som ikke passer inn i kategorien helt normal. Felles for de to er at de skildrer menneskene på en humoristisk og usentimental måte.

Mølleren Gunnar Huttunen  lider sannsynligvis av manisk depresjon, men er hverken uten praktisk begavelse eller forretningstalent. Dessverre kan han ikke la være ule litt når livet butter imot. I sine mer energiske perioder underholder han seg selv og resten av byda med å parodiere dyr og bygdas mer prominente personer. Han faller raskt i unåde.  Heldigvis har Gunnar den deilige hagekonsulenten og sin alkoholiserte venn postbudet, men resten av bygda får ham innesperret på asyl. Gunnar rømmer og forsvarer seg mot forfølgelsene med uortodokse knep, men friheten hans blir knappere og knappere helt til romanen avsluttes metafysisk.

Både Kaurismäki og Paasilinna greier å gi meg slik medfølelse med karakterene sine. Jeg hopper i stolen når livet gir dem noen skikkelige kilevinker. Heldigvis ender det sjelden helt ulykkelig, men denne gangen må man fundere over slutten.

Biblioteket har Den ulende mølleren.

Vi har også andre bøker av Arto Paasilinna

Kristine is now registered as a KUNZT user.

Congratulations to Kristine for starting her own blog.

You can do it too!

How tragic is this? It’s her 14th Dance #1. The circuit queens spared a hit for this.

Det er nu en uge siden at mine (Kristines) glade introdage sluttede, og den hardcore amerikanske skolegang begyndte.

Det betyder, at jeg nu kan tænke tilbage på lange introforedrag med titler som “Don’t drink and drive”, “How to behave in traffic” og “Don’t walk alone – take a taxi”.

Det er sjovt, som universiteterne herovre tager ansvar for de studerende. Måske er det noget med, at de skal kunne holde deres ryg fri, hvis noget rent faktisk sker. Herovre lægger man i hvert fald, nok ikke overraskende,  sag an mod hinanden i omtrent samme tempo, som danskerne kyler grønne pilsnere og flæskesvær indenbords.

Den barske hverdag
Nu er den barske hverdag så begyndt. Barsk, fordi der er mødepligt til timerne. Og barsk, fordi man skal læse mere end én bog om ugen til hvert fag og aflevere skriftlige opgaver, holde oplæg, powerpointshow og etablere klassediskussioner ligeså ofte.

Puha. For en studerende, der har sit akademiske fundament fra KUA’s tradition med selvstudier, kaffedrikkeri og samtaler om de gode gamle 1960′ere, må jeg indrømme, at jeg føler mig en anelse forpustet!
Min mors tanker blev da også ledt hen på den sorte skole, autoriteter og diktatur, da jeg fortalte hende om timerne. Måske fordi jeg overdrev en smule, måske fordi hun selv er fra samme tid som de, der fører samtaler om de gode gamle 1960′ere på KUA og måske fordi, der rent faktisk er visse ligheder at spore…

Det ene udelukker jo som bekendt ikke det andet, men jeg kan dog fortælle, at de amerikanske autoriteter trods alt både smiler og samtaler. Og endnu bedre: Fagene er spændende!

Ny ven er x-milliardær
Oven i hatten har jeg fået mig både et job og en ven på det historiske fakultet:

Vennen hedder Keith, er 55 år, tidligere web-2.0-mange-milliardær, i dag bankerot – som resten af Californien – og flittig, smilende historiestuderende! Han har introduceret mig til gud og hver mand, sat mig ind i regler, pensum, cykelruter, biblioteker, busser og billetter! Så stort hurra for Keith!

Jobbet hedder “Editor at EX Post Facto”, og betyder, at jeg kan beholde mit visum, selvom jeg følger 2 og ikke 3 fag. (Tossede visumregler).
Ex Post Facto er en historisk Journal, og mit job kommer til at bestå i at give feedback til potentielle bidragydere og give mine anbefalinger til, hvilke bidrag der skal udgives. Der udkommer en journal om året med plads til ti bidrag.  Efter sigende bliver der cirka indsendt 70 bidrag. Så sagt med andre ord er der altså en masse håbefulde mennesker, som skal sorteres fra. På en pæn måde, selvfølgelig.

Vi oploader snart billeder fra vores nye lejlighed, som vi flytter ind i i morgen (lørdag)! Indtil da kan jeg kun byde på et par sparsomme billeder af den lokale berygtede tåge, som har det med at snige sig gennem udvalgte dele af byen på kølige dage.

Aller kærligst fra os (Asger er pt i Berkeley, men hilser fra den anden side af vandet.)

Yea, a real triple threat to me! It’s my first time taking for 3 models and erm its really a tough one. I want to thank Mirelle, Kristine and Elaine for spending their time in this photoshoot and this wonderful experience. Although I was told to “not” put on facebook yet…so I uploaded on my blog first haha I do kinda satisfy with this set though (first time shooting for 3 – I admit was a bit stress)…however I believe I can do better.  This set was taken on a Thursday morning which the rain did poured down for a while and thank God the rain didn’t last the whole day! It is taken at Botanical Garden, Penang. Enjoy…Oh ya, all the best to you, Kristine in your studies!!!